Boosting Vax Numbers Before Booster Shot

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Although the Centers for Disease Control has recommended a booster shot months after receiving some COVID vaccines, booster shots aren’t being considered locally just yet, according to one health expert, who says getting Bahamians vaccinated is most important at this time.

Jillian Gray has that. 

People may require vaccine booster shots in the future but Dr. Nikkiah Forbes says its fairness and equal access to vaccines that’s top priority right now.

Dr. Forbes says, “We do need to think about fairness because about 70% of the population is not fully vaccinated. We do have to look at that as to how that distribution is going to go in country because remember those people who are getting severe COVID and ending up in hospital and dying from COVID are largely, 95% and above unvaccinated persons. So we have to look at vaccine coverage unfairness before we start speaking about boosters”.

The infectious diseases expert was responding to questions about if a second shot of the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine could be recommended locally.

On Friday, experts in the United States urged those who received the J and J shot to get a booster shot as soon as its available.

According to the CDC, people over 65, those with underlying medical conditions and those who work in high risk settings should all consider getting a vaccine booster six months after their Pfizer shot.

For Johnson and Johnson its suggested that just two months after taking the one-shot vaccine people should get another.

However, Dr. Forbes says with only 30% of people fully vaccinated in country the focus is on getting people vaccinated.

“Vaccinations and following the public health precautions absolutely do work to prevent Covid. Those that aren’t vaccinated have a 10 times higher chance of being hospitalized for severe Covid than vaccinated and they have an 11 times higher chance, the unvaccinated persons, of dying from Covid than vaccinated and there is good data that supports that”, she says.

While no decision has been made just yet, residents say they don’t mind taking a booster shot if it becomes necessary.

Jason Minnis’ fear of needles did not stop him from getting the Johnson and Johnson shot.

He said having to bury his brother this past weekend was the final straw.

Over 119 thousand people in The Bahamas are fully vaccinated.